When we experience pain, we often ask, "Why?" In times of pain, we find ourselves desperately seeking for purpose. Tell me there is meaning in this. Tell me this happened for a reason. All too often when we look around at our present circumstances and look back to examine the past, we can't see how anything good can come out of the pain. This is because the purpose behind our pain is found by looking elsewhere.

There is more to this world than we can see. Beyond all that we are able to measure and understand is a spiritual world; a world that we can neither see nor touch, yet we feel its impact every day. We live in a world in which an evil influence exists that deceives us and desires to ultimately lead us on a path of destruction. In this session, we'll discuss how our lives have become twisted, and we’ll discover the source behind this deception.

Two years ago, New Life Wichita launched with a goal to make a lasting impact in our community. We believe our devotion to God is illustrated, demonstrated, and authenticated by our love for others. To follow Jesus means to build bridges not walls. It’s how we become a community of change makers.

First-centuries Jews expected the arrival of a messiah, a political and military leader. He would save their culture by driving out the Roman Empire and making Israel a feared military power in the region once again. But when God orchestrated Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem, he was up to something much bigger . . . and much more personal to you and me.

What are some things that cause people to drift away from God and the church? All of us have faced times when we felt distant from God. What were some of the factors that caused you to feel disconnected? If we’re honest, there’s a little King Herod in all of us. All of us can be tempted to focus on building our own “kingdom” rather than participating in God’s “kingdom”. But what do we do with all that?

It doesn’t take long to discover; this world won’t provide you with what you really want, and it will distract you from ultimately matters. Our culture that is fascinated with upgrades and experiences will rob you of what you value. But is there another option?

What do you want…really? We’ll never get what we really want until we discover what is most valuable. In order to figure out what you really want, you first have to figure out what you value, but how do you do that?